Drive for carding set



y 1, 1 8 J. w. POWISCHILL R 2,840,859

DRIVE FOR CARDING SET Filed Oct. '7, 1955 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Q;- /f STRIPPERS /4 44 BREAKER BREAKER BREAKER 1; 1 MAIN BREAST CYLINDER CYLINDER LICKERIN DRIVE l2 49 BREAKER BREAKER wE|cHER lm-Am 43 BREAKER TRANs- 2/ I LENDER mtFEEo ROLLS DELIVERY ROLLS col Rs 36' l FINISHER 30 DOFFER FINISHER 28 32 CONVEYOR FINISHER FINISHER MAIN V 35 CYLINDER LICKERIN FIG. 1.

|NVENT OR'- JOHN w. POWISCHILL ATTYS.

y 1, 1958 J. w. POWISCHILL 2,340,359

DRIVE FOR mums saw 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct 7. 1955 INVENTOR'. JOHN W. POWISCHILL BY WW AT TYS.

y 1, 1958 J. w. POWISCHILL 2,840,859

DRIVE FOR CARDING SET Filed Oct. 7. 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet :s'

J 1 co O N u. f; I

' lNVENTORi JOHN W.POWI$CHILL BY I l AT T Y5.

July 1,1958 J. w. POWISCHILL 2,340,359

DRIVE FOR CARDING SET Filed Oct. 7. 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTO R JO HN W. POWISCHILL W u W ATTYS.

July 1, 1958 Filed Oct. 7. 1955 I774: I775 r77 J; W. POWISCHILL DRIVE FOR CARDING SET 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR 5v dW ATTYS.

JOHN W POWISCHILL United States Patent DRIVE non CARDING SET John W. Powischill, Cheltenham, Pa., assignor to Proctor & Schwartz, Inc., Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 7, 1955, Serial No. 539,063

6 Claims. (Cl. 19-98) The present invention relates to apparatus for processing fibrous materials into a sliver, and more particularly to the drive means for the mechanism of the apparatus.

The present invention has particular utility in driving apparatus for producing from bulk fiber asliver susceptible to spinning on the short system of spinning such as disclosed in the copend'ing application of Harman B. Riehl, et al., Method and Apparatus for Producing Yarn Sliver, filed September 15, 1954, Serial No. 456,196. The apparatus disclosed in this application comprises a weighing feed, a breaker card, an intermediate feed which doubles sliver from the breaker card, draw rolls for the doubled sliver, a finisher card, calender rolls, and a plurality of can coiler-s to receive the finished sliver.

In prior art drives for carding sets, it is customary practice to provide separate drives for each mechanism of the set. This type of drive has not been entirely satisfactory for carding sets, especially those for processing man-made fibers, since higher cylinder speeds are required for processing man-made fibers than are required for processing natural fibers. The higher cylinder speeds have resulted in higher dofling speeds, with the result that the slivers delivered from the finisher cards are extremely difiicult to deposit in the can coilers associated with the carding sets. In an attempt to alleviate this condition, variable speed drives have been applied to drive the main cylinders of the breaker and finisher cards. The output speeds of the variable transmissions were controlled by a common rheostat or other control device, and therefore all the component cylinders of the carding sets were increased or decreased in speed simultaneously. In order to slow down the dotfer of the finisher card to the point Where the slivers delivered by the doffer may be readily deposited into the can coilers, the main cylinder speeds must be reduced materially. Since all of the cylinders comprising the carding unit are slowed at the same ratio, the weight of the slivers is reduced, thereby introducing variation in the weight of the slivers. Furthermore, the slowing down of the main cylinder results in the loading of the main cylinder thereby forming neps which make the slivers unsuitable for making yarn. In addition, even after the carding units are returned to the normal operating speed, considerable time elapses before the slivers are free of neps. When the slivers become clear, they must be weighed in order to determine whether they possess the required weight per lineal yard. If not, further adjustments must be made, and after an additional lapse of 'ime, the slivers reweighed.

in addition to the above-mentioned operational defects, the conventional variable speed drives do not embody means or methods whereby an increase or decrease in the production rate can be effected without affecting the sliver weight. This feature is often found of value when it is desired to improve the production rate or to improve the carding quality and still maintain a specific sliver weight. In addition, it is often advantageous to have the means to effect changes in the main cylinder speed of either the breaker card or the finisher card, or

both, in order to improve the carding quality, or to reduce fly, without affecting the delivered weight of the sliver, or the production rate. The novel features hereinafter more fully disclosed may be applied to a single card, or to a plurality of cards with equal success.

With the foregoing in mind, a primary object of the present invention is to ji'tovide new and improved means for driving carding sets in which the speed of the main cylinder may be varied independently of the doffer speed without aifecting the production rate of the card or the delivered sliver weight.

Another object is to provide apparatus in which the doffer speed may be varied independently of the main cylinder without affecting the carding quality or the sliver weight.

A further object is to provide drive means in which the speeds of the breaker and finisher cards are correlated, at the same time providing means for adjusting the doffer speed of each card independently of each other, or

both simultaneously, and further means for holding the doffer speed and that of the associated mechanisms constant while varying the rotational speeds of either one of the main cylinders without afiecting the production rate through variation of the sliver weight.

More specifically, the present invention contemplates a drive for carding sets having the elements affecting production in the respective breaker and finisher sections driven from a single variable transmission for each section.

A further object of the present invention is to provide means for correlating the outputs of the variable transmissions of the two sections to maintain a constant'ratio between the delivery from the breaker section and the feed of the finisher section.

Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus of the stated type which is mechanically simplified to provide ready adjustment and repair.

These and other objects of the present invention and the various features and details of the construction and operation thereof are more fully set forth hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1a is a thumbnail view of the breaker section of a carding set embodying a drive made in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 1b is a continuation of Fig. la showing the finisher section of the carding set;

Fig. 2a is a schematic drive diagram of the driving trains for the elements of the set shown in Fig. 1a;

Fig. 2b is a view similar to Fig. 2a, but showing schematically, the driving train for the elements shown in Fig. lb;

Figs. 3, 4, and 5, when placed end-to-end from right to left in the order given, make up a side elevational view of the carding set embodying a drive made in accordance with the present invention;

Figs. 3a and 5a are detached views of the driving connections hidden in Figs. 3 and 5 respectively; and,

Fig. 6 is a Wiring diagram employed in carrying out the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. la and 1b,,the fibrous material in loose bulk form is deposited in the hopper of a weighing feed device lb. The device 10 operates in conventional manher to discharge predetermined weights of material. on a breaker feed apron 11 at intervals timed in relation to the advance of the conveyor 11, whereby a layer of uniform thickness is maintained on the conveyor 11. The conveyor advances the layer of fibrous material to the breaker feed rolls 12 which feed the material onto the lickerin 14. The fibrous material is stripped from the lickerin by the breaker breast cylinder 15 and is subsequently paralleled and blended by the associated stripa given blend of fibers.

suitable control device.

pets 16 and workers 17. From the breaker breast cylinder 15, the material is transferred to the breaker main cylinder 18 and is further blended and paralleled by the associated strippers 19 and workers 20. A breaker doffer 21 strips the main cylinder 18, and a web is removed from the doffer 21 by a comb 22. The web formed from the doifer 21 is condensed into a sliver by a calendar roll 23 in a conventional manner. The sliver leaving the calendar roll 23 is composed of partially blended and paralleled fibers.

The sliver from the calendar roll 23 is carried to an upper level by an intermediate feed'delivery lattice conv'eyor and boom 26, and the latter feeds the sliver to an intermediate feed carriage 27. The intermediate feed carriage deposits the sliver on an intermediate feed apron 28 in overlapping diagonal runs to effect a doubling of the sliver. The doubled sliver is advanced on the apron 28 to the finisher feed roll 29 through the finisher draw rolls 30. The draw rolls are driven at a slower speed than the feed rolls 29 in order to effect a drawing of the overlapping runs of sliver on the conveyor 28 and effect redisposition of the fibers in parallel array. The feed rolls 29 deposit the doubled and drafted layer of material on a lickerin 32 of the finisher card which in turn deposits the material on the finisher main cylinder 33. The fibers on the finisher main cylinder 33 are blended and paralleled by the finisher strippers 34 and workers 35 in the conventional manner, and are stripped by the finisher doifer 36. A dolfer comb 37 strips a web from the doffer 36, which web is formed into a sliver by a trumpet 38 and calendar rolls 39. The slivers are then transferred to the can coilers 40. The slivers in the can coilers 40 are qualitatively suitable to be processed on the short or American system of spinning. The operation of the carding set has not been set forth in detail, since reference may be had to the copending application, above-identified.

In accordance with the invention, the elements of the carding set are driven so that the uniformity of the sliver is not affected by changes in the operating speeds, for example, when changing cans in the can coiler. Means is provided to synchronize the speeds of the elements of the set which affect production in both the finisher and breaker sections, although in each section, the elements are driven by a single motor.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the breaker section is driven by a single drive means 42 energized, for example by a three-phase electric input. The drive has a constant speed output shaft indicated diagrammatically at 43 in Fig. 2a, and a variable speed output shaft indicated diagrammatically at 44. In the present instance, the variable speed shaft is controlled manually, for example, as indicated at 45, and when initially adjusted, is maintained constant when processing to change this output, for example to obtain a higher degree of carding, or to reduce the amount of fly. The adjustable output shaft 44 drives the breaker main cylinder 18, the breaker main cylinder strippers 19, the breaker breast cylinder 15, the breaker breast cylinder strippers 16, and the breaker lickerin 14. This same shaft also drives the breaker doifer comb 22. It is noted that when reducing or increasing the production of a breaker card, the above-mentioned elements need not be changed in speed, and accordingly, may be maintained at constant speed during the operation.

The constant speed shaft 43 of the breaker drive 42 drives a variable transmission 46, the output speed of which is controlled by a control motor M1 or any other In the present instance, the variable transmission drives a tachometer generator TG1 which generates a voltage in accordance with the output speed of the transmission 46. One output shaft 48 'of the variable speed transmission 46 drives the workers 20 and 17 from one pulley, and the breaker doffer 21 However, it may be desired 4 from another pulley. The doifer 21 in turn drives the breaker feed rolls 12, the feed apron 11, and the timing device 49 which operates the discharge of the weighing feed device 10 in timed relation to the feed apron 11. The drive of the breaker doffer 21 also drives the calendar roils 23 and intermediate feed delivery 26 through a set of change gears 50. The variable transmission 46 is provided with a second output shaft 52 which drives the intermediate feed carriage 27 through a variable pitch sheave 53. Thus, the elements which control the prot'iuction of the breaker section are all driven from the output of the variable transmission 46. This includes the weighing feed timer 49 and the breaker feed apron 11 which control the delivery of the material to the breaker card; the workers which control the processing of the material in the carding machine, and the doffer and calendar rolls which control the discharge of the material from the carding machines. These elements are also tied in with the intermediate feed device, so that when the variable transmission 46 is reduced in output speed, the production of the breaker section is reduced throughout the section, thereby obviating unevenness or non-uniformity of the sliver due to reducing the output of only one of the above elements. Accordingly, the output of the variable transmission 46 may be increased or decreased without adversely affecting the quality of the sliver delivered by the intermediate feed delivery 26.

The finisher section of the machine is controlled similarly to the breaker section. To this end, a finisher drive 55 is driven from a three-phase source of current to provide a constant speed on one output shaft 56 and an adjustabie output speed on a second output shaft 57. The speed of the shaft 57 is adjusted manually, for example as indicated at 58. The adjustable speed output shaft 57 drives the finisher main cylinder 33 which in turn drives the finisher doifer comb 37, the finisher lickerin 32, and the finisher strippers 34. As with the drive 42, the adjustable output shaft 57 is set for a given blend of fibers and may be maintained constant until the blend is changed, if so desired.

The constant speed output shaft of the drive 55 drives a variable transmission '59, the output speed of which is controlled by a variable speed control motor M2 or any other suitable control device. In the present instance, one output shaft 60 of the variable transmission 59 drives tachometer generators TG2 and TG3 which generate voltages corresponding to the output speed of the variable transmission 59. As pointed out more fully hereinafter, the tachometer generator TG2 cooperates with the tachometer generator TG1 to maintain the output of the variable transmissions 46 and 59 in the desired ratio so that when the production of the finisher section of the card is changed, the production of the breaker section of the card is similarly changed. The tachometer generator TG3 is connected to a meter (Fig. 6) which indicates the speed of the output of the variable transmission 59, and accordingly, indicates one factor for computing the production of the carding set. Of course, other intercooperating controls may be employed to correlate changes in the breaker and finisher sections. A second output shaft 61 of the variable transmission 59 drives the workers 35 of the finisher card from one sprocket, and drives the dotfer 36 from another sprocket. The drive of the doffer 36 also drives the calender rolls 39 and can coiler 40 through a set of change gears 62, and a take-off from the finisher dotfer drives the finisher feed rolls 29, the finisher draw rolls 30, and the intermediate feed conveyor 28.

Thus, the elements which control the production in the finisher section of the carding set are all controlled by the variable transmission 59 whereby a change in production may be effected by actuating the motor M2 or other control device of the variable transmission 59.

The actual drive connections for effecting the control set forth above are illustrated in Figs. 3 to 5 inclusive.

It is noted that when the driving methods hereinbefore described are applied to a single card, the electrical control device associated with variable transmissions 46 and 59 will not be required, since their sole function is to provide a method whereby the production of both the breaker card and the finisher card can be maintained the same, under automatic control. It is further noted that mechanical means in the form of a common drive shaft can be used to synchronize the output speeds of variable transmissions 46 and 59 by mechanically coupling the shaft through gear trains and clutches to the controls shown driven by motors M1 and M2. This method would accomplish the same function mechanically, as does the electrical control device.

Referring to Fig. 3, the weighing feed device is controlled by a separate motor 65 which operates intermittently. In accordance with the usual practice, the spike apron 66 which feeds the bulk material to the weigh box 67 operates to replenish the weigh box 67 only after the timing mechanism 49 discharges the material onto the feed apron 11. As pointed out above, the timing mechanism 49 is driven by the feed apron 11 through a chain and sprockets or the like indicated at 68. The timing mechanism 49 also operates the conventional pusher element 69 which compacts the batch of fibers discharged from the weigh box 67 on the apron 11. Both terminal pulleys of the feed apron 11 are positively driven by a chain or belt 71, the forward pulley of the apron receiving its drive from the shaft 72 of the lower roll of the breaker feed rolls 12 (see Fig. 3a). The shaft 72 and the shaft 73 of the two feed rolls 12 are driven in synchronism by meshed gears shown in Fig. 3. Thus, the shaft 73 drives the shaft 72, which in turn drives the leading pulley of the apron 11 and the leading pulley in turn drives the trailing pulley and the timing mechanism 49, by chain and sprocket connections.

The shaft 73, as shown in Fig. 3a is geared to the shaft 74 which is driven by the gear 75. The gear 75, in turn, is operatively driven by the doffer shaft 76 (see Fig. 4) through the chain and sprocket connections or the like shown at 77. The doffer shaft 76 is driven directly from the output shaft 48 of the variable transmission 46, for example by a chain or belt indicated at 78. The output shaft 48 also drives the workers 20 and stub shaft 81 (by chain or belt 80), and the shaft 81 drives the workers 17 (by the chain or belt 82). Thus, the production elements of the breaker card are controlled as to speed by the variable speed device 46.

The variable speed device also controls the delivery of the sliver from the breaker card. To this end, the calender rolls 23 are driven by the change gears 50 through the chain 85, the change gears 50 being driven concurrently with the doft'er shaft 76 by the aforementioned chain or belt 78. The calender rolls, in turn, drive both the lattice apron 86 and the boom 87 of the intermediate feed delivery 26 through the shaft 88. The intermediate feed carriage 27 is driven directly from the output shaft 52 of the variable speed transmission 46 by the variable pitch sheave 53 and the flexible shaft 89.

The cylinders 14, 15,and 18 of the breaker card, and the strippers 16 and 19 are all driven from the adjustable output shaft 44 of the drive 42. To this end, a chain and sprocket drive or'the like 91 drives the shaft 92 of the main cylinder. The shaft in turn drives the dotfer comb through the pulley and belt 93. The shaft 92 also drives the strippers 19 through the chain 94. The same shaft 92 also drives the shaft 95 of the breast cylinder through the chain 96. The shaft 95', in turn, drives the strippers 16 by the chain or belt 97, and the lickerin 14 by the chain or belt 98' and the gears 99. Thus, the drive 42 drives all of the elements in the breaker section of the carding set.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 5a, the finisher drive 55 drives all of the elements in the finisher section of the carding set. As pointed out above, the adjustable output shaft 57 of the drive 55 drives the main cylinder, the lickerin, and the main cylinder strippers. To this end, the shaft 102 of the main cylinder 33 is driven by the chain or belt 103 from the shaft 57. The shaft 102, in turn, drives the dofler comb 37 through the belt 104. The shaft 102 also drives a gear 105 by a chain or belt 106, the gear 105 driving the lickerin 32 as shown in Fig. 5. The strippers 34 are driven by a chain or belt 107 which is trained around the series of strippers. Thus, the above-mentioned elements are driven at constant speed during the operation of the carding set.

The constant speed output shaft 56 of the drive 55 drives the variable speed transmission 59. The transmission in turn drives the remaining elements of the finisher section of the carding set. To this end, the

output shaft 61 of the transmission 59 drives the doifer shaft 109 and the change gears 62 by the chain or belt 110. A second sprocket on the shaft 61 drives the workers 35 of the finisher card by the chain or belt 111 trained around the sprockets or pulleys of the workers 35. The dofier shaft 109 drives a gear 113, for example by the belt or chain 114, and the gear 113, in turn, drives the lower shaft 115 of the feed rolls 29. As shown in Fig. 5a, the shaft 115 mounting the lower roll of the feed rolls 29 drives a shaft 117 by a chain or belt 116, and the shaft 117 in turn drives the feed rolls 30 (by chain 118) and the intermediate feed apron 28 by chain or belt 119. Thus, the feed to the finisher card is directly correlated with the production of the card.

In like manner, the delivery from the finisher section of the carding set is correlated with the production of the finisher card. To this end, the change gears 62 which, as set forth above, are driven concurrently with the dol'fer shaft 109 by the chain or belt 110, drive the calender rolls 39 and the associated trumpet. The calender rolls 39 by chain or belt 122 drive the can coiler 40. Thus, when the slivers are to be picked up and inserted in the can coilers 40, the variable speed transmission 59 may be reduced in speed, which in turn, reduces the feed to the finisher section, the production of the finisher section, and therefore the delivery from the finisher section. By reducing the speeds of all of these elements, uniformity of the slivers is maintained, and after the slivers are in proper position in the can coilers, the variable speed transmission may be increased in output in order'to bring the operating speed back to normal. This reduction in speed and return to normal speed is therefore effected without adversely afiecting the uniformity of the slivers.

The specific arrangement of the drive means illustrated and described above is not the only arrangement for carrying out this invention, the important feature being the ability to change all of the production elements of the carding section concurrently..

In accordance with the invention, automatic means is provided to maintain a desired ratio between the output speeds of the variable transmissions 46 and 59. Thus, in normal operation, the production of the breaker section of the card is fed directly to the finisher section. When threading slivers in the can coilers, reduction of speed of the finisher section automatically reduces the speed of the breaker section, and likewise, increasing the speed of the finisher section will increase the speed of the breaker section. It may be desirable at times, however, to provide for independent operation of the finisher and breaker sections. To this end, means is provided to disconnect the automatic correlation between the finisher and breaker sections and afford manual operation of each of said sections by actuating the motors M1 and M2 or other control devices individually. Although in normal operation, both the finisher and breaker sections will operate, it is possible, in accordance with the present invention, to operate only one of the two sections.

. Although it ispossible to correlate the outputs of the finisher and breaker sections by manual control of each of the motors M1 and M2 or other control devices, it has been found preferable to provide automatic servomechanical systems for effecting this control. One system for obtaining the control features described above is the electrical system shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 shows the electrical control system for the motor F of the finisher drive 55 and the motor B of the breaker drive 42 and the variable speed control motors M1 and M2. As pointed out above, the tachometer generators TG1 and TG2 maintain the outputs of the variable transmissions 46 and 59 at the desired ratio. The tachometer generator TG3, as shown at the top of Fig. 6, is connected to a meter 150 which indicates the speed of the output of the finisher variable transmission 59.

Proper operation of the control circuit is insured by a timer 151 having a motor 152 which drives three timing cams 153, 154, and 155. The timing cam 153 operates a switch 156 to a normally closed position momentarily once each revolution. The timing cam 154 operates a switch .157 to its normally closed position once each revolution at a timed interval after closure of the switch 156. The timing cam 155 operates a switch 158 intermittently to its normally closed position at spaced intervals throughout each revolution. As pointed out more fully hereinafter, after the circuit is de-energized, for example by opening one of the stop switches 164 or actuation of motor control relay overloads (not shown), the switch 156 is in its normally closed position, and the switches 157 and 158 are in their normally open positions. This condition is shown in Fig. 6.

With the circuit elements in the position shown in Fig. 6, the control circuit is in condition for energization. A switch is provided at 161 for starting the finisher motor F, a switch 162 for starting the breaker motor B, and a switch 163 for starting both the breaker and the finisher motors. Normally closed stop switches 164 are provided to tie-energize the control circuit.

The circuit is energized by a three-phase source, two leads of which are connected to a step-down control transformer 165. The step-down transformer supplies the power for actuating the various circuit elements of the control system, the power to the finisher and breaker motors F and B being supplied by the three-phase line.

Closure of the finisher start switch 161 energizes the finisher motor control'relay 166 by completing a circuit from the control transformer 165 through the switch 156, the switch 161 and the coil of the relay 166 to ground. Energization of the relay 166 closes all of its contacts, thereby connecting the finisher motor F to the three-phase source. The lowermost contacts of the 169 of the weighing feed device. Energization of the starting box 169 starts operation of the weighing. However, as pointed out above, the discharge of the weighing feed is controlled by mechanism driven from the breaker motor B. The lowermost contacts of the relay 167 are ineffective to energize other elements of the control circuit. Thus, closure of the switch 162 operates only the breaker motor B and the weighing feed starting box 169. Opening of any one of the stop switches 164 stops operation of these devices.

Closure of the switch 163 for starting both the finisher and breaker motors energizes both of the relays 166 and 167 through the switches 156 and 163. This starts the finisher and breaker motors-F and B, and the weighing feed starting box 169 as pointed out above. Energization of both the relays 166 and 167 also completes a circuit to a timer control relay 171. The circuit for this is from the control transformer 165 through the stop switches 164, the holding contacts of the relay 167, the second contacts of the relay 166, and the coil of the relay 171 to ground. Energization of the relay 171 closes its normally open contacts. Closure of the lower contacts completes a circuit to the motor 152 of the timer 151, this circuit running from the control transformer 165 through the lower contacts of the relay 171 to the motor 152 and to ground through the normally closed upper contacts of the master automatic control relay 172.

Operation of the timer motor 152 opens the normally closed switch 156 and insures against operation of the relay 166 complete a holding circuit for the coil of the relay 166 through the stop switches 164 to the control transformer 165. The remaining contacts of the relay are not effective to complete any circuits. Thus, the finisher motor F is operated, and the remainder of the circuit is not energized. The finisher motor may then be stopped by pressing one of the stop buttons 164 which are located at convenient locations throughout the installation.

Closure of the breaker start switch 162 energizes the breaker motor control relay 167 by a circuit from the control transformer 165 through the switches 156 and 162. to the coil of the relay 167. Energization of the relay 167 closes all of its contacts, connecting the breaker motor B to the three-phase source. The uppermost contacts of the relay 167 complete a holding circuit through the stop switches 164 to the coil of the relay 167 and ground. The second contacts of the relay 167 complete a circuit through the stop switches 164 to the starting box start switches 161, 162, and 163 until the timer motor 152 is indexed to the starting position shown in Fig. 6. The actuation of the switch 156 also completes a circuit bypassing the lower contacts of the relay 171 to continue operation of the motor 152 until the cam 153 is indexed to its starting position. Thus, the motor cannot make less than an integral number of revolutions upon opening of one of the switches 164 or actuation of a motor control relay overload (not shown). Rotation of the motor 152 alternately connects the leads 173 and 174 to ground for a purpose more fully set forth hereinafter by means of the switch 158.

After a predetermined time delay, the cam 154 actuates the switch 157 to normally closed position. Closure of the switch energizes the master control relay 172 to render the control system operative. Operation of the control system is delayed by reason of the time-delay earn 154 for the time interval in order to allow the finisher and breaker motors F and B respectively to come up to speed. Energization of the relay 172 closes its lower contacts which by-pass the switch 157 and serve to hold the relay 172 energized. Energization of the relay 172 also opens the upper contacts of the relay opening of the aforementioned circuit from the timer motor 152 to ground. It should be noted that the timer motor 152 stops because its alternate circuit to ground through the normally closed contacts of a decrease-speed control relay 175, an increase-speed control relay 176, the lead 174, and the normally closed contacts of the switch 158 is opened. The motor is stopped until such time as the system becomes unbalanced, as set forth more fully hereinafter.

In accordance with the invention, the control motors M1 and M2 control the variation in speed effected by the variable transmissions 46 and 59. The actuation of the motors M1 and M2 is accomplished by either automatic means or manual means. To this end, a threeposition switch is provided at 177. The switch is illustrated in its central position in which the control circuit is maintained de-energized to prevent actuation of either of the motors M1 and M2.

In the right hand position, the finisher control motor M2 is actuated either clockwise or counterclockwise by the finisher fast switch or the finisher slow switch 181 respectively. The breaker control motor M1 is rotated clockwise by the breaker fast switch 182 and counterclockwise by the breaker slow switch 183 Each of the motors M1 and M2is provided with oppositely acting windings, each of which has a lead operable to be connected by the control circuit to the source. Clockwise rotation of the motor increases the speed of the variable speed transmissions, whereas counterclockwise rotation decreases the speed of the output of the variable transmissions.

- With the switch 177 in the left hand position, the switches 180 and 181 are disconnected from the circuit, and the switches 182 and 183 are operable to control both of the motors M1 and M2. The switch 177 also places a balancingbridge into the circuit. The bridge 184 controls a snap-acting relay 185 which operates to cause the motor M2 to follow the motor M1 to maintain the output of the variable transmissions 46 and 59 in the proper relationship. In the present instance, the bridge is adjusted to maintain the outputs of the variable transmissions at equal speeds, as determined by the tachometer generators TG1 and TG2.

Withtthe switch 177 in the manual position (right hand), the switch 177a connects the finisher fast and slow switches 180 and 181 to the supply through the stop switches 164, the first contacts of the relay 166, and the switch 177a. Thus, when the switch 180 is actuated, the lead 186 to the clockwise winding of the motor M2 is energized through the normally closed contacts of the switch 181 and the normally open contacts of the switch 180. This causes the motor M2 to rotate clock- Wise and increases the output speed of the finisher variable speed transmission 59. Actuating the switch 181, on the other hand, connects the counterclockwise winding lead 187 to the supply through the normally closed contacts of the switch 180 and the normally open contacts of the switch 181, thereby eifecting counterclockwise rotation of the motor M2 to reduce the output speed of the variable transmisison 59. Actuating both switches 180 and 181 opens both normally closed contacts of the switches and insures against simultaneous energization of the leads 186 and 187.

Actuation of the switch 177 to the manual position also connects the motor M1 to ground through the switch arm 177b. Thus, the switch 182, when actuated, completes a circuit to the clockwise winding lead 188 of the motor M1. This circuit is from the source through the stop switches 164, the first contacts of the relay 167, the lower normally closed contacts of the switch 183, the lower normally open contacts of the switch 182 to the lead 188. Similarly, the actuation of the switch 183 completes a circuit to the counterclockwise lead 189 of the motor M1. This circuit includes the stop switches 164, the first contacts of the relay 167, the lower normally closed contacts of the switch 182,- the lower normally open contacts of the switch 183 to the lead 189. The upper contacts of the switches 182 and 183 are disconnected from the circuit by reason of the open condition of the switch 177a. Likewise, the bridge 184 is inoperative by reason of the open condition of the third switch arm 1770 of the switch.

. When the switch 177 is turned to the left hand position for automatic operation of the motors M1 and M2, the bridge 184 is rendered operative. To this end, the voltage output of the tachometer generators TG1 and T G2 are each impressed across a trimmer potentiometer 191 and 192 respectively. The potentiometer 192 is provided with a ratio rheostat 193 which is adjusted to provide an equal voltage on the arms of the rheostat 193 and the potentiometer 191 when the outputs of the variable speed transmissions 46 and 59 are in the desired speed rates. By adjusting the ratio rheostat 193, it is possible to provide a balance of voltage between the arms of the rheostat 193 and the potentiometer 191 when the outputs of the two variable speed transmissions are not equal. In practice, the trimmer potentiometers 191 and 192 are factory adjusted, so that the ratio rheostat 193 10 is enabled to provide a variation of plus or minus 25% from equal outputs.

With the ratio rheostat centered,-and the tachometer generators TG1 and T62 running at equal speeds, no current flows between the arms of the rheostat193 and the potentiometer 191. However, when one of the generators increases its output voltage, by reason of an increased output speed in its variable transmission, current is caused to flow between the arms 191 and 193 and a voltage is impressed across the resistance of a sensitivity rheostat 195. The circuit for this includes the topmost contact of the relay 166, the lowermost contact of the relay 167, and the switch 1770. Thus, in order to complete the circuit, both of the finisher and breaker motors, F and B respectively, must be energized, and the switch 177 must be actuated to automatic position. When the tachometer generator TG1 is driven faster than the tachometer TG2, a positive voltage is impressed on the arm of the sensitivity rheostat 195 in relation to the lead 196. On the other hand, when the tachometer generator TGZ is driven faster than the tachometer generator TG1, a negative voltage is impressed on the arm of the rheostat 195 in relation to the lead 196. The voltage on the arm 195 is impressed across the voltage sensitive coil of the snap-acting relay 185. p

A positive voltage on the coil of the relay 185 causes the arm to drop, causing the coil of the decrease-speed control relay 175 to be connected through the lower contacts of the timer control relay 171 to one side of the control transformer 165. The opposite side of the coil of the relay 175 is intermittently connected to ground through the switch 158 in the timer, i. e., when the switch 158 is in the right hand position. When the switch is in the left hand position, the connection is broken, thereby de-energizing the relay 175. At the same time, the reset coil of the relay 185 is energized to center the switch of the relay. The circuit for this runs from the control transformer through the lower'contacts of the relay 171, the reset coil of the relay 185, and the switch 158 to ground. Thus, the relay is energized in alternation with the reset coil or the relay when the tachometer generator TG1 is running faster than the tachometer generator T G2.

Energizationof the relay 175 completes a circuit from the timer motor 152 to ground, thereby causing the timer motorto rotate and advance the cam 155 to cause intermittent operation of the motor 152. When the relay 175 is de-energized, the circuit to ground is completed through the lower normally closed contacts of the relay 175, the upper normally closed contacts of the relay 176, and through the switch 158 which is in its left hand position when the relay 175 is de-energized by the switch 158. The upper contacts of the relay 175 when energized, complete a circuit from the lead 186 to the control transformer through the upper contacts of the relay 175, the lower contacts of the relay 176, the switch 1770, the lower contacts of the relay 166, and the stop switches 164 to the control transformer. This impresses a voltage on the clockwise Winding of the motor M2 and causes the variable speed transmission 59 to increase speed to bring the output of the variable transmission 59 up to the speed of the output of the variable transmission 46.

Negative voltage on the arm of the rheostat causes the arm of the relay 185 to snap to its upper position, thereby energizing the coil of the relay 176 when the switch 158 is in its right hand position. The circuit for this is similar to the circuit for the relay 175 and consequently, the relay 176 operates in alternation with the reset coil of the relay 185. Energization of the relay 176 completes a circuit to ground for the timer motor 152 to the upper normally open contacts of the relay 176, and the lower normally closed contacts of the relay 175. This causes the motor 152 to operate until balance is achieved in the bridge 184, as set forth above.

11 Energization of the relay 176 also completes a circuit from the switch 177a through the lower contacts of the relay 176 to the lead 187, thereby impressing a voltage across the counterclockwise winding of the motor M2. This causes the finisher variable speed transmission 59 to decrease its output speed thereby restoring balance to the bridge 184.

When it is desired to increase or decrease the speed of the whole unit, for example when threading slivers into the can coilers, the breaker fast or slow switch 182 or 183 is actuated. Actuation of the switch 182 causes both the finisher and the breaker to accelerate by reason of clockwise rotation of the motors M1 and M2. The lower contacts of the switch 182 complete a circuit to the lead 188 from the control transformer 165 through the stop switches 164, the holding contacts of the relay 167, the normally closed lower contacts of the switch 183 and the lower normally open contacts of the switch 182. The upper contacts of the switch 182 connect the lead 186 of the motor M2 to the control transformer 165 through the normally open contacts of the switch 182, the normally closed upper contacts of the switch 183, the normally closed first contacts of the relay 176 through the switch 177a, the holding contacts of the relay 166, and the stop switches 164. Thus, the output of the variable transmissions are increased simultaneously.

If the breaker variable transmission 46 increases faster than the output of the finisher variable transmission 59, the bridge 184 is upset and impresses a positive voltage on the voltage-sensitive coil of the relay 185. This energizes the relay 175 and opens the connections between M1 and ground. It should be noted that closure of the switch 182 energizes the clockwise winding of the motor M1 only intermittently when the bridge 184 is unbalanced. This is becasue the motor M1 is connected to ground through the timer switch 158. This circuit includes the switch 177b, and the switch 158 in its right hand position. In the left hand position, the circuit to ground is broken. Thus, when the motor 152 is running, i. e. when an unbalance occurs, the motor M1 is actuated only intermittently. Thus, if the breaker variable transmission 46 output is faster than the output of the finisher variable transmission, the bridge circuit 184 creates a positive voltage on the arm of the rheostat 195, causing the switch of the relay 185 to close in its lower position. This starts the motor, by reason of the closure of the lower normally open contacts of the relay 175, which in turn displaces the switch 158 to the left and breaks the circuit from M1 to ground, thereby interrupting operation of the motor M1. This interruption allows the motor M2 to catch up with the motor M1 to restore balance in the bridge 184.

If during the increase of the speed in the breaker variable transmission, the finisher variable transmission accelerates faster, the bridge is unbalanced and impresses a negative voltage on the arm of the rheostat 195. This causes the switch of the relay 185 to be displaced to its upper position energizing the relay 176. Energization of the relay 176 breaks the circuit to the lead 186 by reason or" the opening of the lower normally closed contacts of the relay 176 and closing the normally open contacts of the latter relay. The latter contacts complete a circuit to the lead 187 of the motor M2 thereby causing the motor to rotate counterclockwise until balance is restored. It is noted that the unbalance also starts the motor 152 of the timer by connecting it to ground through the normally closed contacts of the relay 175 and the upper normally open contacts of the relay 176. This actuates the switch 158 and interrupts operation of the motor M1 and de-energizes the relays 175 and 176 simultaneously with the energization of the reset coil of the relay 185. Thus, the finisher variable transmission 59 is'slowed stepwise until its output corresponds to the output of the breaker variable transmission 46.

To slow both of the variable transmissions, the switch 183 is actuated to its lower position. This connects the leads 187 and 189 to the control transformer in a manner similar to the manner described above inconnection with the switch 182. This continues until an unbalance in the bridge occurs in which event the motor 152 of the timer is energized and the motor M1 and relays and 176 are de-energized and energized in alternation with the reset coil of the relay 185. This continues until the balance is restored to the bridge 184. It is noted that the meter 150 indicates the speed of the output of the finisher variable transmission so that either of the switches 182 and 183 may be depressed until the proper speed is indicated on the meter 150.

Thus, the present invention insures a balance in output of the variable transmissions 42 and 59 and compensates for any changes in speed in one of the transmissions due to an increased load or due to manual increase or decrease by reason of the actuation of the switches 182 or 183.

When it is desired to shut down the equipment, one of the switches 164 is actuated. This de-energizes the relays 166 and 167 which renders the bridge 184 ineflective, decnergizing the relay and the relays 175 and 176. The relay 176 also de-energizes the relay 171 which breaks the circuit through the holding contacts of the relay 172 to the coil of the latter relay, thereby deenergizing the relay 172. It should be noted that to insure proper operation of the timer, it must be indexed to the zero point. To this end, the motor 152 of the timer 151 is maintained energized through the switch 156 in its right hand position, and the normally closed upper contacts of the relay 172. Thus, the motor operates until the switch 156 is actuated to its left hand position by reason of the indexing of the cam 153 to zero. Upon reaching this index, the motor is de-energized, as is every other element of the circuit.

Thus, the electrical circuit described above operates when the switch 177 is in the automatic position to correlate the production of the finisher and breaker sections of the carding set. When the switch 177 is in the hand position, the switches 180, 181, 182, and 183 control one or the other of the finisher and breaker sections. When the switch 177 is in the off position, the motors M1 and M2 may not be energized and the variable transmissions 46 and 59 cannot be varied, although the finisher and breaker sections are driven by the motors F and B respectively.

Manual controls for the regulation of the speeds of the various elements of the carding set are provided to accommodate the various characteristics of dififering fibers and blends. As set forth above, these controls are the controls 45 and 58 in the drives 42 and 55 respectively, the change gears 50 and 62 which drive the calender rolls 23 and 39 respectively, and the variable pitch sheave 53 which drives the intermediate feed carriage 27.

Thus, the present invention provides a drive for carding sets which is readily regulated to accommodate varying fiber characteristics, and which affords changes in production while the carding set is in operation.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it is not intended to limit the invention to such a disclosure, but changes and modifications may be made therein and thereto within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A drive for a carding set having a breaker section and a finisher section, each section having feed and delivery means eifecting a uniform delivery of material from said section, a first transmission driving the feed and delivery means of said breaker section, a second transmission driving the feed and delivery means of said finisher section, regulating means for varying the output speed of at least one of said transmissions, and correlating means responsive to variation in the ratio of output speeds of said first and second transmissions and connected to said regulating means to actuate the latter to I return said ratio of output speeds to a given value.

2. A drive according to claim 1 including regulating means for varying the output speed of the other of said transmissions, and selectively operable means to render said correlating means inoperative whereby the output speeds of said first and second transmissions may be varied independently by actuating their respective regulating means.

3. A drive according to claim 1 including regulating means for varying the output speed of said other transmission, said regulating means comprising a reversible shaft rotatable in one direction to increase the output speed of said other transmission and rotatable in the opposite direction to decrease said output speed, means to rotate said reversible shaft selectively to change the output speed of said other transmission, and thereby actuate said correlating means to effect a corresponding change in the output speed of said one transmission.

4. For a carding set comprising a Weighing feed, a breaker card, an intermediate feed, and a finisher card; a drive comprising a first transmission having a variable output speed controlled by a first regulating shaft, drive connections from said transmission to the workers, the dofier, and the feed means of said breaker card, and the delivery means of said weighing feed; a second transmission having a variable output speed controlled by a second regulating shaft, drive connections from said second transmission to the workers, the doifer and the feed means of said finisher card, and the intermediate feed; and automatic correlating means interconnecting the first and second regulating shafts for changing the output speed of said second transmission in response to changes in the output speed of said first transmission to return the ratio of said output speeds to a given value.

5. A drive according to claim 4 including manually operated means for actuating said first and second regulating shafts to change the output speeds of said first and second transmissions, said correlating means including automatically operable means to interrupt actuation of each regulating shaft selectively to maintain correlation between the output speeds of said first and second transmissions.

6. A drive according to claim 4 wherein said correlating means includes an electric-signal generator responsive to the output speed of each transmission, a bridge circuit operable to normally balance the signals of said generator, and a motor operated upon unbalance of said bridge circuit to drive said second regulating shaft to thereby change the output speed of said second transmission to return said bridge circuit to balanced condition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,560,013 Varga July 10, 1951 2,574,580 McKay et al. Nov. 13, 1951 2,619,682 Varga Dec. 2, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 882,651 France Mar. 8, 1943 1,093,246 France Nov. 17, 1954 

